Hillsborough lawmakers propose referendum to elect superintendent
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Voters may soon decide whether Hillsborough County's superintendent is appointed or elected.
Why it matters: Hillsborough could be the largest district in the state where voters, not the school board, pick the superintendent.
- The proposal comes as the state has been trying, for years, to influence the school district's leadership.
Driving the news: The Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation voted Wednesday to ask the state Legislature to consider including a referendum on the 2026 ballot.
- The measure, introduced by Rep. Michael Owen (R-Apollo Beach), comes on the heels of a clash between Hillsborough Superintendent Van Ayres and the state Board of Education over LGBTQ+ books.
- Conservatives have tried, and failed, to wrest control of the school board, with Gov. Ron DeSantis endorsing a slate of candidates in 2024 and targeting several board members for removal.
What they're saying: State House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell (D-Tampa) told Axios, "What I'm hearing from the people of Tampa Bay is that they do not want this change."
- "The people are not interested in turning this into an elected position that Tallahassee politicians and special interests can influence," she added.
- Superintendents "should be appointed," said Nadia Combs, a school board member whom DeSantis targeted. "You want someone with educational background and experience to lead such a large organization."
The other side: Owen rejected the idea that the referendum was motivated by Ayres clashing with the state Board of Education and framed it as a separate measure.
- "It's nothing personal against the superintendent we have, but I just believe that parents should be determining who the CEO of their kids' education is," Owen told Axios.
- "The superintendent needs some autonomy," he added. "So, they're not worried about the future of their job by four members of a school board that most people in the county don't even know."
What's next: The state Legislature will decide on adding the referendum to next year's ballot during the 2026 legislative session.